Schmidt files appeal Monday, December 19, 2011 by SUSAN MANNThe lawyer representing Durham-area farmer Michael Schmidt will be arguing for leave to appeal his conviction and sentence of raw milk sales and distribution on April 25, 2012.Karen Selick, litigation director for the Canadian Constitution Foundation, says they have to argue that the case is important enough for the Court of appeal for Ontario to consider it. “A regulatory offence is considered to be pretty minor so they don’t give us an automatic right to appeal,” she says. “We have to demonstrate that it’s important enough for the Ontario Court of Appeal to spend its time on.”Schmidt was first acquitted of 19 charges related to raw milk sales and distribution in January 2010 by Justice of the Peace Paul Kowarsky but then convicted by Justice Peter Tetley of 15 of those charges in September after the province and Grey Bruce Health Unit appealed the initial acquittal. Schmidt was sentenced in November to a fine of $9,150 and one year of probation.One reason given in the written motion for special grounds to appeal was that Schmidt was acquitted of the charges at the trial but then convicted after the province and health unit appealed.In addition the judgment introduces uncertainty into the law making it impossible for people in similar situations as Schmidt to determine whether they are breaching the law or not. As for some of the grounds for appeal, it says in the written motion the judge erred in his interpretations of various terms, such as ‘distribute,’ ‘plant,’ ‘distributor,’ and ‘processing.’ The judge also made mistakes in questions relating to the law of contract. In addition the judge erred “in holding Mr. Schmidt did not have standing to advance constitutional claims on behalf of raw milk consumers,” the written motion says. BF Program change disappoints tender fruit growers Travel clampdown
Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week veterinary prize awarded Saturday, June 14, 2025 has been a mainstay for the agricultural industry in Grey and Bruce Counties since 1966. While things have evolved over the years, the mandate to provide information to producers and agribusiness has remained firm. Seventeen years ago, the event committee created an annual $1,000 ... Read this article online
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Ontario Bean Growers are having a day and you are invited Friday, June 13, 2025 The Ontario Bean Growers have announced it will be holding its annual on August 20, 2025. The day begins with research presentations at 1 pm. Details of the research presentations will be published as they become available. At 4 pm, Chris Gillard will lead attendees on a tour... Read this article online
Ottawa Police looking for farm equipment accident witnesses Thursday, June 12, 2025 The Ottawa Police Service is looking for witnesses or people with dashcam footage to come forward regarding an accident involving farm equipment. A vehicle struck farm equipment on June 6 at Twin Elm Road and Brophy Drive around 6 p.m. The accident resulted in two people requiring... Read this article online
Canada Not Fully Using its Agriculture Potential and Not Competitive Thursday, June 12, 2025 Canada is known for its natural wealth — including minerals, energy, forestry, and agriculture. Among these, the agriculture and agri-food sector stands out with enormous global export potential. This according to Senator Mary Robinson on her Senate of Canada weppage. Senator Robinson... Read this article online